A Rebellious Generation!

Good Morning World!

I wasn't sure what to write this morning, but then while reading a couple chapters in Proverbs I found it!  This time of year is usually a time of giving and receiving, but it is also a time of reflection and pondering.  I so enjoy reflection and pondering, but it does raise questions, problems and many times things that need to be changed.  If we don't think about where we are or where we have come from then we will never figure out where we are going.  I know we think we know where we are going, but most of us don't!

A prophecy from Proverbs 30:

¹¹ There is a generation that curses its father,And does not bless its mother.¹² There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,Yet is not washed from its filthiness.¹³ There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!And their eyelids are lifted up.¹⁴ There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,And whose fangs are like knives,To devour the poor from off the earth,And the needy from among men.

I am only a young man, but I have personally watched the beginning of about 2 generations and rise of a 3rd.  The first I was apart of, and respect for elders and parents was still taught, albeit not as much as other generations.  Then as a very new young adult I watched the second generation as children through graduation, and they had very little respect for authority, so little it was hard to find. Finally, the 3rd generation, which includes my own Children respect and honor are a thing of the past.  Of Course I am desperately trying to instill this important life truth into my Children, but it seems so often I am beating my head upon a brick wall.  Society has changed so much in the past 30 years!  What was once ok is now breaking the law, and what was once breaking the law in now ok.  Children do not have any moral, spiritual, sexual or relationship guidelines, examples or mentors to follow!

We wonder why people are dying younger and younger, well I can give you a simple answer that you may not like or even agree with, but here it is none the less. The Bible tells us in a couple places: Children Obey your Parents.  However, what many people don't realize is that this scripture is the first commandment that comes with a promise, and in reverse a curse.

"Children Obey your parents that you may live long in the earth!"

I don't know if you understand what this means, but I'll tell you anyway.  If we learn respect of authority and we learn how to respect and honor our parents it will be a main deciding factor in how long we will live physically. On the flip side, we are rebellious and curse our father and mother, and don't listen to their wisdom and guidance then it will also be a deciding factor in the length of our life on this earth.

WAIT! You may say.  "I know many people who have died young that were good people."  True, True.  However, you don't know their heart or past, but the fact remains that society has bread rebellion into its very fabric, and now everyone is feeling the pain of this ungodly pandemic.  Just as we are all sinners because one man and women sinned against the creator, so because we have bread rebellion into our generation we all will feel the sting of death!

HOWEVER!  This is the reason for the season!  Jesus Christ was born, God with Us!  He came to seek and to save that which was lost! He came to bring us salvation from this rebellion and curse of death!  He came to free us from the slavery that comes with sin, rebellion and death.  Jesus the Messiah came to give us eternal life!  Through His birth, life and death we find truth, and truth will set you free!  Let us take time to ponder, and take ownership of the fact that we are apart a rebellious generation.  It is us, not them who need to change.  We, you, I are the ones who must find redemption, and turn back to the way of truth!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Learning from their mistakes

In studying for the Home Bible Study I teach weekly, another one of God's purposes has become very clear. It is so very important, yet we often neglect it because of our own stubborn natures. "Pride comes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction." This is a quote from the wisdom of king Solomon, and is the reason we miss out on many of the simple straight forward truths of the Word of God.

Our study this week was a survey of Israel's entering Canaan, conquering it and dividing the inheritance. We ended with the reign of the first three kings Saul, David and Solomon. However, before we can get to any of the above events we must first study Moses' last sermon. Parts of which are in Deuteronomy 28 and 30.

Moses gives a blessing and a cursing upon Israel. A blessing for obedience to the commands and laws of God, and a cursing for the disobedience of those commands and laws. He presented life and good, death and destruction. It was up to Israel to choose which path to take.

Moses died, and Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, divided and conquered the land of Canaan.

The Bible tells us in Judges that Israel served God throughout the life of Joshua, and throughout the lives of the elders who out lived Joshua, but soon after the final elder died, they left God's ways and followed the pagan, unholy ways of the peoples around them. Israel looked around and saw the ways of the people they were living among, and began to serve their gods.

Guess what happened? Exactly what Moses told them would happen! The Bible tells us that God punished them until they were sore distressed, and cried out to God. And as Moses said, when they cried out to God for help, He gave them a judge to deliver them. This happened 16 times until the time of Samuel. After whose time Israel asked for a king, which is another message altogether.

1 Corinthians 10:5-12 tells us that we must learn from their mistakes so that we don't fall in the same way!

Here is the moral to the story.

1. Follow, Trust and Obedience brings life, health and prosperity.
2. Neglect, Doubt and Disobedience brings death, sickness and poverty.

People often wonder why they are going through the circumstances they face, and the simple answer my be that God is trying to bring them to repentance for the sin and evil in their life! Don't blame the devil for every bad thing that happens. Instead, repent of your sins and turn to God, and He will prosper your path!

Yours for following the ways of God,
Pastor Fred